One year of Pencil.Management
By Hew Belgrave · September 25, 2026 · Curated by George's Blog
One year of Pencil.Management
A year ago I set up on my own with a simple belief: athletes deserve management that actually cares about them, not just their commercial value.
Twelve months in, I'm working with a brilliant group of athletes across surfing, snowboarding, wingsuit, adventure, rugby and mountain biking.
We've partnered with brands like adidas, YETI , Oakley, Rip Curl, Red Bull, Ford UK, Bremont Watch Company & GoPro, building genuine trust and understanding between the athlete and the brand, securing deals that let athletes focus on what they do best.
Biggest lesson so far? Listen. Actually listen. Start with the athlete's story, not the brand brief, and everything else follows.
Huge thanks to the athletes and their families who trusted me early, and the brands who backed them.
Also a special mention to those who have supported me, had a coffee or beer with me and shared their knowledge and guidance.
On to year two.